by Christopher Harris

Walking was not my idea. When the doctor told me working out with weights did little to promote a healthy heart, he suggested that I start a regimen of running, swimming, or walking. “You need to sustain a physical activity for 25 minutes to maximize benefits,” he added.

I listened, but I wasn’t really interested. Going to the gym three times a week, plus exercising at home, seemed like enough. So I did not follow his advice, at least not until 11 months later when it was nearly time for my next annual physical. Sure that he would ask me about it, I decided to start walking—for him, not for me.

Early in the morning was the best time for me and I started by walking around the block. Well, that was okay, I had to admit. In fact, I kind of enjoyed it. That was a surprise. So I started walking a little farther each morning, until I reached the 25 minutes he had recommended. By then I was really into it and, in fact, looked forward to the walk. And I was now doing it for me, not for the doctor.

I’m not sure when I started combining praying and walking, but it turned out to be a natural combination. Walking doesn’t require a lot of concentration, after all, as long as you pay attention to things like traffic lights and turning cars, so what better time to pray?
Of course if you’re locked into the idea that you have to close your eyes when you pray, you could be in serious trouble. I personally think that walking and praying—with eyes wide open—is making the best possible use of my time.

What do I pray about? Anything and everything. It’s no different than praying at home, except I’m moving, and I will occasionally interrupt the praying to greet a fellow walker heading in the opposite direction. It turns out that, unlike when I’m praying at home, it is nearly impossible to doze off when I’m praying if I’m also walking.

The morning air is cool and refreshing—sometimes it’s still dark when I leave for my walk—so thanking God for His amazing creation is easy. And I thank Him for giving me another day to enjoy His magnificent universe.

My physical heart is healthier now, and so is my spiritual heart. If there has ever been a truly win-win plan for me, walking and praying is it!

If you’ve never tried it, there’s no time like the present.